Decluttering for Minimalism Beginners: Finding Calm Through Simple Spaces

It’s strange how much a pile of old books, a cluttered desk, or even a packed closet can weigh on you. Not just physically, but mentally. Sometimes, it feels like all that clutter is whispering, reminding you of unfinished tasks or forgotten projects. Minimalism—this idea of living with less—promises a sense of calm, but where do you start? If you’re like me, the word “minimalism” can feel a little intimidating. Does it mean stripping everything down to the bare essentials? Or could it be something more fluid, more personal?

I’ve noticed that starting small is the key to easing into a minimalist lifestyle. Decluttering doesn’t have to be about getting rid of everything at once. It’s about creating space—both in your home and your mind. It’s funny, but sometimes, the simplest actions can lead to the biggest shifts in how a room feels.

Where to Begin: The Gentle Art of Decluttering

Decluttering for beginners can be overwhelming if you’re unsure where to start. So, let’s make it easier by focusing on small, specific areas rather than tackling an entire room or house. The idea is to build momentum, creating little pockets of calm that inspire you to keep going.

1. Start with a Drawer

I know it sounds overly simplistic, but starting with one drawer can be a powerful first step. For me, it was the infamous “junk drawer.” You know the one—full of random keys, old receipts, pens that may or may not work. There’s something oddly therapeutic about emptying a drawer, sorting through the chaos, and deciding what truly belongs. In doing so, you’re not just making space for the objects you actually use, but you’re also clearing out a bit of mental clutter.

The Process: Empty the drawer completely.
Hold each item and ask, “Do I use this? Does this add value to my life?”
Toss what’s broken or outdated, keep what’s useful, and find a new home for things that don’t belong there.

It seems like such a small task, but that’s the beauty of it. You’re giving yourself permission to start somewhere manageable.

2. Tackle Surfaces First

Surfaces—desks, countertops, coffee tables—are notorious for attracting clutter. Papers, random knick-knacks, that mug you’ve been meaning to wash. These visible spaces impact how a room feels more than we realize. I’ve found that clearing just one surface can transform the energy of an entire room. It’s like opening a window after days of stale air. Suddenly, there’s space to breathe.

Tip: Pick one surface and clear everything off.
Sort into three piles: keep, relocate, discard.
Don’t rush to restyle the space—let it sit empty for a moment. Notice how it feels.

There’s something about the visual peace of an empty surface that brings a surprising sense of calm. It doesn’t mean that the space will always stay clear, but it gives you a glimpse of what’s possible.

The Emotional Side of Decluttering

What’s often overlooked is the emotional weight behind our things. It’s not just about “stuff.” Every item carries a story, a memory, or a sense of obligation. That’s why decluttering isn’t just a physical act—it’s an emotional process too.

Sometimes, I hesitate when letting go of certain items, even though I know they no longer serve a purpose. Maybe it’s a gift from someone I care about or something I associate with a certain time in my life. These aren’t easy decisions, and it’s okay to feel conflicted. I remind myself that the things I cherish don’t always need to be physical objects. The memories stay with me, even if the item doesn’t.

3. Create a “Maybe” Box

If you’re struggling to let go, try creating a “maybe” box. Place the items you’re unsure about into this box and store it away for a month or two. If you don’t miss anything inside, you might find it easier to let go when you revisit it later.

Key benefits: Eases the pressure of making immediate decisions.
Allows space to reflect on whether the item is truly needed or just habitually kept.

This approach is particularly helpful for sentimental items—those things that tug at your heartstrings but don’t necessarily fit into your life anymore. Letting them sit in a box for a while can give you emotional distance, making it easier to decide later on.

Decluttering as a Form of Self-Care

Minimalism isn’t about denying yourself things or living a stark, joyless life. At its heart, it’s about creating space for what truly matters. When we clear away the excess, we’re left with more room for calm, for creativity, and for the things that genuinely make us happy.

I’ve come to see decluttering as a form of self-care. It’s a way of nurturing the spaces where I spend the most time. When my surroundings feel more open, I feel more open too—more at ease, less anxious. It’s not just about the aesthetic of a tidy room. It’s about how that room makes me feel.

4. Mindful Decluttering: Slowing Down to Tune In

As you begin your decluttering journey, it can be tempting to rush through the process, eager to see quick results. But I’ve found that when I slow down, I notice things I’d otherwise overlook—an old scarf stuffed in the back of a drawer or a half-read book still sitting on the nightstand. Each item holds a story, and taking a moment to acknowledge that can make the process feel more meaningful.

Pause and reflect: Before you decide to keep or let go of something, ask yourself how it feels. Not just in terms of function, but how does it feel in your life right now?
Does it carry a positive memory, or does it feel like an obligation?

Sometimes, slowing down means making space for a bit of gratitude. Even if you’re letting something go, it’s okay to thank it for its time in your life. It might sound a little odd at first, but I’ve noticed that acknowledging the role an object has played makes it easier to release it. The connection loosens, and suddenly it’s easier to imagine my space without it.

5. Decluttering by Category vs. Room

Another helpful approach is to declutter by category rather than by room. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by an entire living space, focus on one type of item at a time. For example:

Clothes: Pull out all your clothing, whether it’s from your closet, drawers, or laundry piles, and sort it together.
Books: Gather books from every room and make decisions based on their place in your life, not their place on a shelf.

This method helps you see just how much you own in a single category and makes it easier to pare down. I tried this with clothes a while ago, and it was eye-opening. I didn’t realize how many sweaters I had stuffed into various corners of the house. Seeing them all together made me rethink how much I actually needed.

Bonus Tip: When you gather things by category, it’s easier to notice duplicates or items that serve the same purpose. It becomes simpler to decide, "Do I really need three of the same kind of mug?"

The Invisible Clutter: What We Don’t See, But Feel

Sometimes, the clutter we hold onto isn’t always visible. It hides in our drawers, our closets, or even in digital spaces like emails and apps. This “invisible” clutter can weigh on us just as much as the things we see every day. I remember clearing out an old box from under my bed—a box I hadn’t opened in years. It was filled with photos, trinkets, and old notebooks. Even though it was out of sight, it still occupied mental space.

Digital decluttering: Take time to delete old files, unsubscribe from newsletters you no longer read, and clear out your phone’s photo gallery. I’ve found that cleaning up my digital space can be just as freeing as tidying up a room.

6. The One-In, One-Out Rule

A simple way to maintain a clutter-free space over time is by adopting the “one-in, one-out” rule. Every time you bring something new into your home, let go of something similar. This keeps things in balance and prevents you from accumulating more than you need.

Example: If you buy a new sweater, donate or discard an old one.
Why it works: It encourages mindful purchasing and reduces the emotional and physical weight of excess belongings.

I’ve tried this rule with books—each time I buy a new one, I let go of one I no longer connect with. It helps me to be more intentional about what I choose to bring into my space, and I’ve noticed that I no longer feel overwhelmed by a growing collection.

The Shifting Definition of “Enough”

What minimalism looks like for one person might not be the same for someone else. The beauty of decluttering is that it invites us to redefine what “enough” means—whether that’s having three pairs of shoes or thirty, a small cozy living room or a wide-open, sparse space.

I used to think I had to fit a certain mold to embrace minimalism, but I’ve come to realize that it’s a personal journey. What feels like “enough” for me today might change next year, and that’s okay. Decluttering, in its simplest form, is about creating space for what matters most to you right now.

Sometimes I still find myself holding onto something for the wrong reasons—because I think I might need it someday or because it cost a lot of money. But each time I let something go, I remind myself that having less doesn’t mean losing anything. It’s about making room for what feels more aligned with who I am today, not who I was when I first got that item.